3.8 of 5 (19 votes)
3

Make the most of Skiddaw

A moderate walk (mountain (above 600m)) in national park Lake District in Cumbria, England, about 16.50km (10.25 mi) long with an estimated walking time of about 7:15h. It is unsuitable for families with children, prams & pushchairs, wheelchairs.
Elevation Profile
Ascent 817m (2680ft)
Descent 827m (2713ft)
Max. Elevation 910m (2985ft)
Altitude Gain & Loss 1644m (5393ft)
Start & End
Keswick
Distance 16.50km
(10.25mi)
Duration ~7:15h
Difficulty  
Moderate
Car Free Walks TeamCreated by Timwoods on 29 Aug 2009
Skiddaw has an undeserved reputation as a bit of a slog. Many people want to climb it as it tops the magic 3,000 feet mark, but if you trudge up and down the Little Man route, well, you get what you deserve. Instead, make a full day of the trip and explore some of the surrounding hills as you go. I have it on good authority from a lifelong Lake District resident that this route - via Carl Side and Ullock Pike - is the best way. So give Skiddaw the respect it deserves and do it properly!

Walk Functions

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Nearby Walks

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The Western Fells

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Walk Map

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Waypoints

OS Grid NY268235
You can take the bus from Keswick to Applethwaite, but it's a pleasant enough walk and a good warm up. Head for Briar Rigg and take the footpath towards Ormathwaite and Applethwaite.
OS Grid NY256262
Follow the Allerdale Ramble route to Millbeck, and take the right-hand fork heading up to Carl Side.
About 2.95 km (~1.83 miles) from
OS Grid NY255282
Continue on to Carl Side, a subsidiary peak of Skiddaw. Great views across to Bassenthwaite Lake from here.
About 2.00 km (~1.24 miles) from
OS Grid NY261291
It's a short hop from Carl Side to Skiddaw, at 931m.
About 1.08 km (~0.67 miles) from
OS Grid NY244285
From Skiddaw, return to Carl Side and head along Longside Edge towards Ullock Pike. Continue along The Edge until Ling How.
About 1.69 km (~1.05 miles) from
OS Grid NY241299
At Ling How, turn back on yourself and take the Allerdale Ramble towards Ravenstone. Continue on the path towards the lake shore.
About 1.41 km (~0.88 miles) from
OS Grid NY242271
The path continues along the lake for a short section, before entering Thornthwaite Forest. This is actually on a small hill - Dodd - so if you still have energy to burn, wind up the forest tracks the top.
About 2.83 km (~1.76 miles) from
OS Grid NY249248
The final stretch is a riverside walk along the River Derwent, which flows from Derwent Water into Bassenthwaite Lake. Much more enjoyable than battling with the crowds on Little Man!
About 2.40 km (~1.49 miles) from
OS Grid NY262235
The path continues through Portinscale and into Keswick. The fish and chips in Keswick town centre are hard to beat if you need filling up after a long day out!
About 1.84 km (~1.14 miles) from

3 comments... join the discussion!

27 Dec 2014
Corrected

Hi Bob, well, in short: we changed it. Now it displays one decimal place and is far more accurate. Have to admit: it nagged me. Thanks again for pointing it out.

26 Dec 2014
Distances

Hi Bob, we're rounding (hence the "roughly" before each distance metric) and indeed, you're right. Perhaps we are doing it a bit too generously. We'll have a look.


Bob Cooke
24 Dec 2014
Miles And Km

In this description the equivalent miles and km values are incorrect. 1Km is 5/8 of a mile and so, for example 2km is not 2 miles etc.

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